March 31, 2009

Hello! I'm doubling up on challenges today - first is Amy's Friday Sketch #55 and the other is Dawn's Raspberry Suite Color Challenge 2. Amy's sketch just screamed at me to put it on paper and Dawn's colors (teal, brown, white, and celery) looked so soothing, so I went to work. The sketch didn't work with layers (I tried and failed miserably), so I just kept it clean and simple. I ran the flowers and long rectangle through my Cuttlebug with the Spots & Dots and D'vine Swirls embossing folders to create some texture since I didn't use any patterned paper *gasp*! I know!! (say that in your very best Craig Ferguson voice, k?) I used paper to thread my button again and just attached it with a glue dot. Loved these challenges today - go give them a try :)

Hey, don't forget to try out this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge for a chance to win some yummolicious blog treats. All the details are in THIS POST. Only 2 days left to participate!!

March 30, 2009

No, no, no - not of the baby kind, but of the random act of kindness kind! The adorable, lovely, fantastic and sweet Sarah-Jane Kale' sent me the BEAUTIFUL card in the mail and it brought the biggest smile to my face. The flowers are full of yummy glitter. Thank you SO much Sarah-Jane, you are amazing! Hop on by her blog and say hi - her cards and projects are darling!

Did you all have a good weekend? We were busy! 2 kid birthday parties and a baby shower for my sister-in-law. I'm exhausted! But I did find time to whip out a card, naturally - ha! This card uses Weekend Sketch Challenge #74 and my fellow Baker's Dozen gal, Charmaine, is hosting the challenge this week. Pop on over to check out the sketch and all the other entries. I still have some very retired Afternoon Tea paper and had intended to make a Mother's Day card, but none of my sentiments worked with the oval die cuts I have - it was going to be GINORMOUS and take over the card. So I opted for plan B and used an oval from my aged copper hardware stash. I love this sketch and like the way the card turned out - so full of spring!

March 29, 2009

Good morning - It's time for another Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! Here is the deal: make a card with this layout and use Mr. Linky down at the end of my post to enter your card. On Thursday at 2 PM (Mountain Time), I'll randomly select one card to feature on my blog. So, as long as your card is linked in the Mr. Linky box by 2 PM Thursday, your card will be in the drawing. Be sure to link directly to the blog post or gallery image which features your card. You may post a picture of the sketch on your blog, but please save the image to your computer first. Use the keyword SSSC11 if you plan to post your card at SplitcoastStampers or another online gallery.

Are you ready for your bonus?! So many big things to celebrate here - my blog is over 100K hits AND... I am SO excited to tell you one of my cards is published in the March issue of Cards - can you see me jumping around the room in utter elation?! This is the card they published (although the colors in their photo of it are WAY off, but what are ya gonna do?), you can find it on page 143 - tee hee! Anyway... to celebrate I'm giving away some goodies for one random participant in this sketch challenge. All you need to do to qualify for the drawing is make a card with this week's sketch and post it to Mr. Linky and on Thursday at 2 PM I'll use Random.org to choose a winner. Sound YUMM-O? The lucky winner will receive the March issue of Cards, 2 Sale-A-Bration stamp sets (Congrats & Polka dot Punches), and an assortment of yummolicious embellishments - 3 library clips, 3 Kiwi Kiss corduroy buttons, 3 Pacific Point corduroy buttons, 4 flower brads, and 7 5/16" brads. Anyone can play - so get your game face on and get crackin'! The card I made measures 6-1/2" x 3-1/4" if you would like the dimensions and try to make one that size if you can - it's part of the challenge of it all *grin*.

March 28, 2009

Anyone else out there ready for spring? Colorado keeps teasing us with spring - it's 75 degrees one day, the next day it's 35 degrees and then the day after that? Blizzard! Nice huh? So with spring on the brain, I made this little Easter card using Weekend Sketch #73. I found it over at Cambria Turnbow's blog, Stamp a Little Love Baby. I finally ordered some Delicate Dots paper for myself and I am loving it, plus it was free - can't go wrong with that! I love Sale-A-Bration. Anyway, I added a ton of scallops again, and ribbon of course :) I threaded the button with a sliver of Bashful Blue cardstock instead of thread - gives it a little pop of color.

I finally got to ink up the hostess set, Comfort Food, today - don't you love these little puns? I think they are so cute! I made quick little set of 4 to sell in my Etsy shop - no layers, no brads, no stampin' dimensionals... I know, it's weird! I just used one of my scallop rectangle Nestabilities dies to emboss the card front and then stamped the image inside the frame it created. Very simple, but I love the look. Tie a ribbon down the side and you're done! These cards are 3x3, so you really can't put a whole lot on them (or can you? I feel a challenge coming on... lol).

On another note - I have new goodies I just ordered sitting in my mailbox, stranded out there! It's snowing SO hard here and I just can't bring myself to fight the sideways-snow to walk up the street to get them. I considered driving the car up there, but my hubby got stuck in the driveway coming home from work, so it's a tad slippery out there! Yes, it's torture sitting here KNOWING I have new things to ink up and play with, just sitting in the mailbox. Sigh... I'll fish them out soon...

March 26, 2009

Yep! I have a few extra Paper Lover's Paper Packs available for you - I'm cutting the paper tonight and shipping it out tomorow (if I can get out of the neighborhood with all this snow!) or Saturday. If you are interested in purchasing this LAST round of paper packs, please click the Buy Now button in my sidebar, or you can just click it here too :)This is the last round of paper shares I will be doing until the new catalog is out. I have 4 left, so hurry! They won't last long once this is posted.

This week's winner is Sarah-Jane Kale' with this adorable baby boy card! I just love the polka dot sail and the star with the button, so cute! You can see more of Sarah-Jane's cards and scrapbook pages at her blog, Janeybell - hop on over there and say hi.

You all will NOT want to miss out on the sketch this Sunday - be sure to come back and check it out.

Here's a card for you using Jen del Muro's Sketch For You to Try - I've been wanting to do one of her sketches forever and I finally did! I used Sweet Spring from Taylored Expressions along with the Easter Key Ingredients and I just used the last of the brads, NOOOOO! I'll have to get me some more *smile*. I had to make a quick change of plans and use a rhinestone brad for the flower up top instead. Does it look weird? The cute little cuppie is colored with Copics and I thought he needed some rosey cheeks this time.

March 25, 2009

I thought it would be fun to make a fall card with Branching Out and Branching Out Coordinates today - what do you think? I love the little owl sitting there on the branch. I used Copic markers again today (yes, I AM addicted) and I don't have many browns to work with, so my little owl is looking a little bit orange. It's all good though, he matches the tree - ha! I think what I'm loving the most about the Copics is the outlining color, C1 (Cool Gray) - it just makes the image pop from the paper a bit. The patterned paper is Autumn Vine and the brads are flocked - love the fuzz! The sentiment comes from Taggers Dozen. Seems to work right there under the branch.

March 24, 2009

This week's featured stamper at SplitcoastStampers is the always fabulous, Beate! Her gallery is packed full of wonderful cards and I chose to CASE this card. I changed the stamps, paper, and embellishments for my card and I wish Stampin' Up! still had Maine Blueberry paper available - I love these colors together! One of these days I'll get some current paper to show off - I'm just trying to work my way out of the piles of old paper in my desk at the moment.

So can you tell what I left off of this card??? Do you know?? Ribbon! It's a rare day when I don't use any ribbon on a card - ha!

One of the blogs I visit all the time is Jen Tapler's and she has some yummy blog candy to give away - you only need to send her a brand new, never seen before card. She's going to collect all the cards and put them together for her Stamp Out Alzheimer's event in May. You can see all the details at her blog, HERE. Such a wonderful idea!

March 23, 2009

Hello! We had a gorgeous weekend here in northern Colorado and it's inspired me to make something that screams spring - so how about an Easter card? I am in love with Sweet Spring from Taylored Expressions, especially this little bunny. I think he's my favorite of the group. I used the Easter Key Ingredients Kit and I can't get enough of this scrumptious paper! I also gave my new Copic Markers another shot - I think I may have overcolored the cupcake a bit because it started to look orange. Ooops! I'm loving these markers though. Can't believe I waited so long to get some.

March 22, 2009

Good morning - It's time for another Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! Here is the deal: make a card with this layout and use Mr. Linky down at the end of my post to enter your card. On Thursday at 2 PM (Mountain Time), I'll randomly select one card to feature on my blog. So, as long as your card is linked in the Mr. Linky box by 2 PM Thursday, your card will be in the drawing. Be sure to link directly to the blog post or gallery image which features your card. You may post a picture of the sketch on your blog, but please save the image to your computer first. Use the keyword SSSC10 if you plan to post your card at SplitcoastStampers.

I've been on a baby kick with cards lately and I'm not exactly sure why that is, but we'll just go with the flow here (got to go where the mojo takes me, you know?). I used By Ones & By Twos again with this adorable onesie and thought it would be fun to make a card for twins - don't see to many twins cards around town.

March 21, 2009

I was cleaning out my stamp area today (yes, it happens every blue moon or so) and I found some scraps of the OLD designer paper from Stampin' Up!, Spring Showers and I think I squealed with delight. I love this paper and I thought I was completely out of it - thank goodness I hoard things!! Mr. Brown delivered a brand spankin' new stamp set for me the other day, Thoughts & Prayers - it's funny because I didn't even know this was in the catalog until I saw it on other blogs! I love it! It's so simple and classy and it's a perfect sympathy set. The sketch comes from Sketch Challenge 220 over at Splitcoast Stampers and it's a great one - nice and easy, but it creates wonderful cards. I used my 1/8" circle punch to punch a hole to pop the ribbon through on the main image panel - love that trick to squeeze ribbon in.

I hope you are enjoying your day - thanks for taking the time to see me today!Karen

March 20, 2009

Good morning! Taylored Expressions just keeps branching out! Now Taylor is offering a Key Ingredients Kit Subscription and today I have a sample of the first kit being offered. To find out how you can subscribe and get this month’s kit (plus get future month’s kits before they're even available in the store!) check out this post on Taylor’s blog! When Taylor sent us these Key Ingredients she issued a little challenge to create anything but a card and to be sure to use one of the cute chipboard buckles in the kit. You know how I am with challenges, bring them on! I absolutely love the colors in this kit - from the deep reds and oranges to the bright blues and greens - such a contrast that always makes unique cards and projects. There are so many things in this kit I can't wait to use - the Parisian Mist glitter and all of the gorgous ribbon for sure! I really wanted to put it all on this little explosion box, but that got a little out of control, ha! I did use the large oval buckle, blue satin ribbon and of course the coordinating cardstock and patterned paper from the My Mind's Eye Free Bird collection. This little explosion box is so much fun to make and you can hide a treat inside, or a message and it will wow the person who opens it. If you are curious about the size of the box, it's a 2-1/2" cube.

Hop on over to say hello to Taylor and the rest of the Baker's Dozen who participated in this month's Key Ingredients challenge and see what they've cooked up for you today!

Do you ever sit down to create something with an image in your head and when you finish, stare at it with complete amazement? This is how I felt when I finished this card for Kristina's color challenge today. It is exactly the way I pictured it in my head - and that rarely happens! I'm SO excited to post this card for you - it just makes me happy! Kristina inspired me with her fabulous color choice today - Riding Hood Red, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Basic Black and Bashful Blue. Do they not work fantastic together?!! You may have noticed I copied the fabric with the flowers on the black background, but it's so cute - I just couldn't resist. The little butterfly from Flight of the Butterfly is back (love him!) along with the sentiment from Absolutely Fabulous.

I'll be back with another post very soon - Thanks for stopping by.Karen

This week's winner (chosen by Random.org) is #11 - Cindy Lawrence! Cindy created this jaw-dropping, elegant card - I love the flower wreath with the sentiment inside. Just beautiful! You can see more of Cindy's amazing creations at her blog, The Creative Closet.

Thanks to everyone who participated again this week - we had a few new players, that's fantastic! I'm busy working on Sunday's sketch so be sure to come back and play.

March 18, 2009

Howdy! Today I drew inspiration from Jodi Collins (yet again, ha!) - I had to CASE this wonderful card. Don't you just love this layout? It's right up my alley with all the scallops and ribbon and brads, yum. For this card, I paper-pieced the onesie and then added a little flower and brad through all the layers. The paper is Candy Lane and I just can't get enough of it!

March 17, 2009

I found this fantastic sketch over at Lizzie Anne Designs today and knew I had to use it. Since it's St. Patrick's Day, I had to use some green, right? This darling little owl is from Branching Out Coordinates from a new stamp line, Whimsical Wishes, available at Taylored Expressions. I love this stamp set with it's quirky sayings - You're a hoot! I started this card out thinking I'd make a masculine card with all these greens and browns, but see what happened? Ribbon... scallops... Oh well! I think a man could still recieve it, don't you?

March 16, 2009

Hello! I've had this Mojo Monday sketch on my desk for a week and I finally have completed it! I'm hoping it won't take me a week to do this week's, haha! More retired items for you again today - Fall Flowers paper and Love & Happiness rub-ons from Sale-A-Bration last year.

Thanks for stopping by! Go on over to the Mojo blog to see this week's sketch - see you there!

March 15, 2009

Hey! I've spent the day uploading my cards to my Etsy store. Most of them are cards I've featured on my blog and have had sitting around until now - please help me find a new home for these precious creations :)

Good morning - It's time for another Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! Here is the deal: make a card with this layout and use Mr. Linky down at the end of my post to enter your card. On Thursday at 2 PM (Mountain Time), I'll randomly select one card to feature on my blog. So, as long as your card is linked in the Mr. Linky box by 2 PM Thursday, your card will be in the drawing. Be sure to link directly to the blog post or gallery image which features your card. You may post a picture of the sketch on your blog, but please save the image to your computer first. Use the keyword SSSC09 if you plan to post your card at SplitcoastStampers.

My sample today uses a shiny new set for me, Trendy Trees - yummo! I always think of Autumn Vine paper when I use trees and I dove right into the package along with some OLD sage shadow polkadot ribbon. I looped a separate piece of ribbon to create the bow, held together by a button and thread. Hope you like it! Now it's your turn - have fun!!

March 13, 2009

I just sold my last Paper Lover's Paper Pack and it seems there may be more interest. If you would like to join another paper share, please email me and I'll set up another waiting list. If we can pull together a group of 8 before March 30th I can include the Sale-a-Bration paper, Delicate Dots with your order, for free.

Happy Friday! Isn't this little guy from Sweet Spring too cute? I decided to paper-piece him today using Afternoon Tea paper and it just so happened the egg ended up with a nice big flower on it - how perfect! I'm using the sketch for the Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge, another fun layout to work with. Hop on over there and check out the sketch and give it a try.

I just wanted to let all of you who ordered a Paper Lover's Pack, I will be cutting all the paper over the weekend and mailing it by Monday. This will be the last paper share and I do have 4 left for anyone else that is interested. You can order a paper pack by clicking here:

March 12, 2009

Hey gang! Random.org has chosen #1 as the winner this week and that is Emily! I love the soft colors Emily used in her card along with the button in her flower - very cute card!! Hop on over to Emily's blog, Emily's Stampin' and Such to see more of her adorable cards.

Sorry I've been so quiet - I ran out of adhesive and then the house is full of sickness again. I'll be back soon!! Adhesive is back in stock, thank goodness, and we are getting healthy little by little.

March 8, 2009

Good morning - It's time for another Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! Here is the deal: make a card with this layout and use Mr. Linky down at the end of my post to enter your card. On Thursday at 2 PM (Mountain Time), I'll randomly select one card to feature on my blog. So, as long as your card is linked in the Mr. Linky box by 2 PM Thursday, your card will be in the drawing. Be sure to link directly to the blog post or gallery image which features your card. You may post a picture of the sketch on your blog, but please save the image to your computer first. Use the keyword SSSC08 if you plan to post your card at SplitcoastStampers.

March 7, 2009

I am SO ready for spring! I noticed our grass is starting to turn the faintest shade of green and our tulips are peeking out of the soil too. I love this time of year in Colorado. It won't be too long before the trees start to bloom. I thought I'd capture some spring in my card today by using Branching Out and Branching Out Coordinates again. I just can't get enough of these cute sets! I watercolored the branch, leaves and flowers about a week ago when I was first finding ideas for this set, but I never used the image. So when I saw this week's Limited Supplies Challenge over at SplitcoastStampers, I thought this abandoned branch would save me! This week, the challenge is to make a card in under 30 minutes. Now I don't know about you, but most of my cards take more than 30 minutes to make and often leave a huge pile of unwanted scraps and mistakes along the way. But today... today I completed this card under 30 minutes - yay me! Since I had my main image stamped and colored already, that saved me major time and then I found Sketch Challenge 215 (also at SplitcoastStampers), which saved me more time trying to figure out a card layout. I had time to add the mini Twinkle dots to the flowers and run some cardstock through the Cuttlebug with embossing folders, and here you have it. My 30-minute card.

Don't forget to hop on over to Taylor's blog to check out today's Birthday Party specials. She's giving away fun treats all weekend. You can also pick up Branching Out and Branching Out Coordinates in a fun bundle from Taylored Expressions through Sunday.

March 6, 2009

Happy Friday everyone! I have a cute cupcake card for you today inspired from the Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge this week. Taylor whipped up a very fun sketch and I had to make a card this afternoon while the baby was napping. I got a new hostess set, Bitty Basics and loved the little cupcake image in it. Since the images look a bit rough around the edges I thought I'd watercolor them and I am so pleased with the look! Watercoloring allows me to be messy - yay!! I added a little pink twinkle dot to the top of each cupcake because they all need a cherry, right?

Hop on over to Taylor's blog and check out her sketch today (and all her birthday goodies!! you can see more in the post below on that...)

See you back soon!Karen

Edited: The designer paper is Berry Bliss!!! Finally - it just popped into my head!

Taylor is celebrating the First Birthday of the Taylored Expressions Store and she wants to invite you to the party! The festivities will last all weekend long with games and prizes on her blog! There will be drawings for Party Favor Packages for three days - Friday (today), Saturday and Sunday, with a different package given away each day. PLUS on Monday there will be a Sweepstakes Grand Prize winner drawn from all the orders placed at the Taylored Expressions Store from Thursday through Sunday. Be sure to visit Taylor’s blog to get all the details and to join in on the FUN!

March 5, 2009

If you were at the release party this morning at Paper Craft Planet - you might have seen this awesome color challenge that Taylor has created:To celebrate the release of her new stamps over at Taylored Expressions, Taylor is giving away a Key Ingredient Birthday Boy set. All you have to do is to create a card inspired by these colors and upload it to Paper Craft Planet using the tag: tecolorchallenge (all one word, all lowercase). You must have your cards uploaded by Monday, March 9th at 8am PST to be eligible for the Key Ingredients Set. We can't wait to see your lovely creations!

Hi gang! I have had the nastiest case of the flu the past 2 days and I've just now crawled off the sofa and am trying to roam around for a bit. I remembered that it's Thursday and I need to pick the winner of this week's sketch challenge! So here it is... drum roll please.... Random.org has selected #17, Jennifer! Isn't her card just adorable with the sweet little Easter chick? Very nicely done. You can see more of Jennifer's work at her blog, Scrapbook Goddess.

Please come back by on Sunday for another Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge - I'm looking forward to seeing what you create. Now I'm on my way to see everyone's creations from this week - sorry to be so slow, haha!

Today is the day you can stop by Taylored Expressions and check out all the new releases for March - yippee! I thought I'd celebrate with this cute little Cuppie card since I just couldn't resist inking this little guy up! I dove into my Easter Key Ingredients goodie bag again for this card - love, Love, LOVE these bright colors! Everything on this card (minus the twinkle dots) is from the Easter Key Ingredients kit - it's amazing how fast this card came together using the kit. All the colors are already packaged and coordinated for you - super easy! I stamped the cupcake in black Staz-On ink and colored him in with watercolor crayons and a blender pen and then added the Twinkle Dots to add some dimension and sparkle to his cute little egg. Doesn't it look like a little Fabriche Egg? Haha! Sweet Spring is one of my absolute favorite Stamp A Sweet Impression sets - the images are so sweet and fun and I just can't wait until I can use them for the Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenges! Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday and I can ink up another cuppie.

Stop by Taylor's Blog for more exciting details and check out the Baker's Dozen to see their creative ideas!

March 4, 2009

It's day 2 of the Taylored Expressions release sneak peeks and today's card features Sweet Spring. This set has so many darling images and fun sentiments I cannot wait to ink up! I absolutely love this little bunny cupcake - isn't she sweet? I had fun coloring her in using watercolor crayons and a blender pen - it's like sweet therapy when I get to color. It's quiet and I get to make something magic appear from black and white. I used Bright White Choice cardstock for my little cuppie image and I have to tell you, it is fantastic to work with! It's incredibly smooth, so bold images stamp very nicely AND it's thick (100 lb), so I can use it as a card base as well. Bright White Choice cardstock will be available tomorrow at Taylored Expressions.

Taylored Expressions is coming out with a new Easter Key Ingredients kit for you all to play with. Aren't these papers just amazing? I love the bright spring colors and the coordinating designer paper. The kit also includes coordinating ribbon, flowers, and brads, so making projects with it is a snap.

Now hop on over to Taylor's blog for more details and the other members of the Baker's Dozen and see what goodies they've cooked up for you today ~

March 3, 2009

Taylored Expressions is Branching Out in More Ways Than One!!!1. A Brand New line of stamps - Whimsical Wishes!2. Branching Out and Branching Out Coordinates - two adorable new sets to kick off the new Whimsical Wishes line!3. The TE Giving Tree - Taylored Expressions will be donating the proceeds from sales of these two new sets to a wonderful charity - Eden Projects. There will be new stamp sets introduced quarterly for this on-going charitable program.

Isn't that exciting??! I've been waiting anxiously to show you this sneak peek. Today's card features 2 sets, Branching Out and Branching Out Coordinates - isn't this tree adorable?! These sets are designed by the fabulous Nancy McKinney for her Whimsical Wishes line of stamps and the minute I laid eyes on these sets, I instantly fell in love with them. OH the possibilities it offers - coloring, paper-piecing, layering... oh my! I decided to do some paper-piecing for my card using Certainly Celery Prints designer series paper and Certainly Celery cardstock for the leaves of the tree. I just love the look it offers! I also paper-pieced the tire swing using Basic Gray cardstock.

So now that I am collecting Stamp A Sweet Impression stamp sets, I got a new Binder Box to store them in. Now, I have to tell you that this storage box is an incredible space saver! I can fit up to 4 stamp sets in each box and it's 3-ring binder style allows me to choose stamps without taking each storage panel out. Yea!

It's a very exciting first day of sneak peeks, so be sure to skedaddle on over to see what the Baker's Dozen has whipped up for you today and be sure to stop by Taylor's blog for more exciting details!

March 2, 2009

Yes, I am SO excited to let you know some fabulous news! Starting today I am part of Taylor Van Bruggen's amazing design team, the Baker's Dozen!!!! I think I need more exclamation points! When Taylor first asked me to join her team I was speechless - I think it took me a few seconds to gain composure and reply yes, Yes, YES!!! I am just beyond thrilled to join such a talented group of women who inspire me greatly (but I won't mention that I stalk their blogs on a regular basis, hehe). Thank you Taylor for this opportunity.

Taylored Expressions is branching out with this new release scheduled for March 5th and you don't want to miss a beat! We'll be posting sneak peeks all week, so come on back and be one of the first to get a glimpse of Taylored Expressions' amazing new stamp sets and products. Believe me, you'll want to get all of them!

Go meet the new Baker's Dozen over at Taylor's blog and catch all the fun announcements she has there. It's an exciting day for cupcakes!

March 1, 2009

Good morning - It's time for another Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! Here is the deal: make a card with this layout and use Mr. Linky down at the end of my post to enter your card. On Thursday at 2 PM (Mountain Time), I'll randomly select one card to feature on my blog. So, as long as your card is linked in the Mr. Linky box by 2 PM Thursday, your card will be in the drawing. Be sure to link directly to the blog post or gallery image which features your card. You may post a picture of the sketch on your blog, but please save the image to your computer first. Use the keyword SSSC07 if you plan to post your card at SplitcoastStampers.

This week's sketch is inspired (ok, copied really) from this card by the *fabulous* Jodi Collins over at Stamping A Latte. Jodi has SO many great cards on her blog, so please go by and see her gorgeous creations. I chose to use Maine Blueberry paper again for this card - I can't help it, I love it! I am a little bummed the sentiment doesn't stand out more, but I guess I should have realized that when I used patterned paper, ha!